Discover Vieremä: Forest Trails, Nature and Culture

Vieremä combines marked trails and forest landscapes with small cultural discoveries in the church village. The 4-kilometre “Maisemareitti” landscape route passes through the church village. For a longer excursion, the village landscape of Nissilä is home to the approximately 30-kilometre “Linnakankaan retkeilyreitti” hiking and cycling trail. The two routes offer different options for planning your day; their length alone does not determine how long they take to walk.

Trails between the church village and the forest landscape

The 4-kilometre “Linnaharjun metsäpolku” forest trail runs through the Linnaharju region. It also introduces the Luvejoki River and a forest management approach known as ensolainen. The trail is accessible to everyone and is also suitable for groups. There is parking at the starting point, including space for buses; fires may be lit at the campfire site with particular care. This shorter trail combines exercise with insights into the landscape and its management.

The Linnakankaan trail starts at the Tapiola youth association house in Nissilä. There is a car park and an outdoor toilet there, and clear signs mark the route. At approximately 30 kilometres, and open to both walkers and cyclists, it offers a different touring option from the four-kilometre Linnaharju trail. When planning your day, consider which distance and mode of travel best suit your plans.

The Talaskangas nature reserve also offers trails through a larger forest and wetland landscape. The largely untouched area covers approximately 3,500 hectares and lies in the border region between Kainuu and Savo, within the municipalities of Sonkajärvi, Vieremä and Vuolijoki. There are about 12 kilometres of easy-to-walk trails in total, with starting points at Jyleikönkangas and Talaskangas. There are three campfire sites: the Patalampi lean-to shelter, one on the western shore of Pikku-Talas, and a semi-open shelter north of Pikku-Talas.

In Talaskangas, visitors can also paddle and row, as well as walk. In winter, they can go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; no officially maintained ski tracks are prepared. Activities therefore vary according to the season and what you want to do, but the area does not have a groomed network of ski trails.

Culture and discoveries in town

Vieremä Church was inaugurated on 26 December 1919 and designed by Ilmari Launis. Since 1989, a bronze statue in the town has commemorated Matti and Liisa, characters from Juhani Aho’s novel “Rautatie”. Visitors interested in local history and traditional crafts can also visit the Hevosajoneuvomuseo, which displays horse-drawn vehicles, harnesses and other equine-related items from the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1979, eight of the museum’s buildings were moved to the grounds of the local history museum.

The local history museum is open on weekdays in June and July; visits at other times can be arranged by appointment. In summer, there is also a picnic area with hanging swings. The museum hosts a traditional costume day each year in early August and Kulttuurimäki’s Christmas event in December. Vendors regularly sell food and handicrafts at Vieremä Market.

Another local landmark is Räisälän mänty. Named after the nearby Räisälä farm, this pine tree has been protected as a natural monument under the Nature Conservation Act since 1967 and is believed to date from the 16th century. Local tradition also tells of the Helvetinlähde spring, which is said to have once been a sacrificial spring.

Water, exercise and time outdoors

Rainbow trout have been regularly stocked in Mykänlampi in the centre since spring 2019. Fishing is permitted during the fishing season with a licence announced each year. The pond has a lean-to shelter, an outdoor toilet and a designated campfire site where fires are permitted. For another kind of water activity, the freely accessible Nikulanlahti boat landing is suitable for rowing boats and canoes; a dredged channel connects it to the river. There is also a guest harbour at the church village boat dock, with berth number 1 reserved for guests.

Sotkun uimaranta beach has a sandy bottom and a designated shallow bathing area for younger children. Next to it is deeper water for confident swimmers. For land-based activities, Einarin puisto has playground equipment, outdoor fitness equipment, a campfire site and a toilet. The marked “Aarnikotkan polku” hiking trail leads from there to Talaskangas; coloured markings and signposts show the route. Vieremä also has a 9-hole disc golf course completed in 2013, described as suitable for everyone from beginners to competitive players. It was designed by Erno Väyrynen.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Vieremä, consider which aspects of the area you want to shape your stay: forest and wetland trails, cultural discoveries, fishing or time at the beach. This helps you focus your search on the kind of travel experience you want, without assuming that accommodation will have particular amenities.

Discover more destinations

Juupajoki, Liminka, Karvia, Savio, Närpes, Hyytiälä, Siikalatva, Haukipudas.

For the broader travel overview: Northern Ostrobothnia.